Making a knife sheath

[woodse guy]

I have a couple of knives that I would like to make sheaths for. I don't know how to go about measuring the knife so I use the right amount of leather for them. The leather that I have is deer hide if that matters. The knifes will be patch knifes. Thanks for the help.

 

[THOM]

Get a brown grocery bag; manila folder, cereal box, etc. cut out a flat piece, and lay your knife on it.This will make a stiff pattern.
Trace along the outline of the knife with a pen or pencil; then flip the knife over to the other side and trace again.
To these lines add enough extra on the outside for sewing room.
You might want to put a welt ( piece of heavier leather )along the cutting edge of the sheath - so the blade doesn't cut thru the sheath. This can be sewn in between the 2 pieces of hide.
Then place cut out paper on to deer hide and trace on hide the lines you have from pattern.
We don't use any kind of pen or sharpie for this - can't get the ink out of the hide.
Mark the holes where you want them on the hide.
Poke out hole in leather, an awl is best, and sew away ...
The best stitch to put this rig together is the saddle stitch - uses 2 needles and really holds up great.
We hope this helps; because this stuff is FUN !!!!!
Thom
push on the chain ?

 

[MSW]

limpinfrog is right- you should put a welt in the pattern. by the way, if you don't already have a copy, you might want to get T.C Albert's book about making bags.
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/(S(w...tId=1&subId=6&styleId=21&partNum=BOOK-R18-CHP

i thought it was a bit expensive before it arrived, but i now hold that it was money well spent. the text is simple, the illustrations are clear, and the instructions are easy to follow.

good luck with your project!

 

[woodse guy]

Is it just for making bags or does it also cover other things as well?

 

[CrackStock]

Most of what has been stated is good. I like the manilla folder option with a stapler to test out where stitching should go.

I think that a welt is always a good idea for safety and to be correct.

You need an overall design concept grounded in your chosen time period. Are you looking for a simple stand alone pouch, neck sheath, bag sewn sheath or belt sheath?

I have made different styles which could be used attached to a shooting pouch, one with a side slot to wear on my belt and several styles with a front or back flap to secure to belts.

There are many options and you could have some fun researching and choosing your style of carry.

I found a few sites:

Simple instructions

Sheath tutorial

Some design options and better explanation of the process.

 

[woodse guy]

I don't have a time period right now just looking for user friendly right now just to get an idea of what I'm doing. Would you have any pictures of the different styles?

 

[woodse guy]

I don't have a time period right now just looking for user friendly right now just to get an idea of what I'm doing. Would you have any pictures of the different styles?

Thanks for the links should have looked closer before I made my post.

 

[CrackStock]

:thumbsup:

Pictures of one that I made a couple of weeks ago...

 

[woodse guy]

Would a 4 to 5 oz. leather work for a knife sheath and maybe a possibles bag?

 

[LaBonte]

Would a 4 to 5 oz. leather work for a knife sheath and maybe a possibles bag?

Good for a bag but too light for most knives...

 

[woodse guy]

They will be small patch knives if that matters.

 

[LRB]

I think 4/5oz would be fine for small knives. Just be sure to put a welt in them, and wet form them. The wet forming will stiffen them a bit. I use 6/7oz for most all of my knives, and have never had a problem.

 

[woodse guy]

The reason that I ask is I found some leather on sell for 3.69 a sq.ft. is there anything special that I need to know before I buy some to try?

 

[LRB]

Just be sure it is vege-tanned.

 

[woodse guy]

What happens if it's not?

 

[LRB]

You can only wet form vege/bark-tan. In the thickness you mentioned, I suppose oil tan would work for your purpose well enough, but you cannot easily stiffen it if needed, or wanted, and many glues will not stick well to it. It is much easier to sew a sheath that is glued together, but there are ways to sew them if not.

 

[woodse guy]

That makes since now that I look at it that way. Never tried this before so thanks to all for the help.